Kai Sotto and Filipino basketball fans had a disappointing afternoon as the 20-year-old prodigy was not selected in the 2022 NBA Rookie Draft.
The draft took place on July 24, Friday (Manila time) at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, with around 100 people taking part.
“Thank you to everyone for your support and kind words tonight, I won’t stop pursuing the dream of being in the NBA…..this is not the end,” Sotto tweeted.
“I also want to clarify that no decision has been made about me not playing in the summer league,”
he also clarified, as his agent informed in a previous interview of Sotto renouncing NBA Summer League offers to join Gilas Pilipinas in the third window of the FIBA World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers.
Various publications have revealed optimistic expectations for Sotto; even some, anticipated that he may be taken in the second round of choices.
The Filipinos rallied around the seven-foot-three young prodigy, hoping to see a native star on the NBA stage.
But the night has passed at the Barclays Center, and neither commissioner Adam Silver nor deputy commissioner Mark Tatum have uttered their names in connection with the selection.
Despite this, Filipino basketball fans have shown their admiration for Sotto.
“Madraft man or hindi si Kai Sotto, supportahan nalang po natin siya. Hindi po tayo dapat nag hihilahan pababa,” A fan remarked on an NBA rookie draft Facebook live feed.
“Proud parin kami sa’yo Kai, kuha ka nalang ibang kontrata sa ibang bansa,” A netizen commented.
“Kai Sotto, drafted or undrafted, should have nothing to be ashamed for. [The] kid went through a ton of workouts, a whole new life in Australia and the US to fulfill the dream of a first full-blooded Filipino in the NBA. From one Filipino to another, we’re very proud of you, Kai!” someone tweeted.
Manny Pacquiao, the eight-division boxing champion and past presidential candidate, joined the chorus of Filipinos yelling #PinoyPride.
“Even if Kai Sotto did not make it to the NBA as of yet and was not picked in the #NBADraft2022, the most decent thing to do is support a fellow Filipino’s dream. Shouldn’t we do that? Salute to him for pursuing his career dream. It is admirable,” Former senate candidate David D’Angelo also tweeted about it.
Sotto’s chance to play in the world’s best basketball league does not end with the draft. Before the start of the 2022-2023 season, teams may still sign him to a rookie contract or any contract.
Sotto can potentially return to the Australian National Basketball League, where he concluded his pro debut season with averages of 7.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks.
